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HBA to Design Asia's First Waldorf Astoria

Landmark Hotel Specialists, HBA Is Set to Transform the Legendary Shanghai Club Into the Magnificent Waldorf Astoria On The Bund Shanghai

SHANGHAI, CHINA--(Marketwire - February 26, 2009) - HBA/Hirsch Bedner Associates, designers of
the prestigious new Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai, are set to revive a
second landmark heritage property on the city's iconic Bund waterfront.

The world's leading hospitality design consultancy has been appointed by
Hilton Hotels Corporation to transform the former Shanghai Club at No. 2
The Bund into the Waldorf Astoria On The Bund Shanghai.

Set to open in 2011, the Waldorf Astoria On The Bund Shanghai will be the
first hotel in Asia for Hilton's prestigious luxury brand. HBA was the
obvious candidate for the high-profile project on account of its unrivalled
experience in preservation and adaptation of landmark hotels around the
world. HBA has its own history of augmenting new brands within global hotel
groups and in the past have delivered classic restoration designs in New
York, Paris, Chicago, Athens and other gateway cities. HBA's signature
design elegance and timeless grace, uniquely adapted for today's luxury
travelers, is a perfect fit for the legendary Waldorf Astoria brand.

According to HBA Principal, Ian Carr, "Restoring or converting these
properties, such as is the quest for the Waldorf Astoria in Shanghai, is a
true labor of love for the design team, the ultimate challenge of taking
the historical context and adding the up-to-date convenience and style of
current expectations. The hotel, when completed, will become a bellwether
property for this high-end emerging brand."

The exquisite English Renaissance style building was completed in 1910 and
opened as the now-legendary Shanghai Club in January 1911. Throughout the
city's 1920s and '30s Pearl of the Orient heyday, it was Shanghai's most
exclusive gentleman's club, filled with decadent delights like bowling
alleys, restaurants, an oyster bar, and two wine cellars. One of the
highlights was its celebrated Long Bar -- which at 110 feet was once the
longest bar in the world.

Still one of the finest architectural gems along Shanghai's waterfront
promenade, the whitewashed façade is adorned with Palladium columns,
intricate gables and a pair of sculpted rooftop cupolas. The interiors --
including the original Sicilian marble columns and stained glass imported
from Birmingham, England -- will be painstakingly restored through
extensive use of archived photographs and records.

HBA's renovation of this historic pleasure palace will continue the
Shanghai Club's legacy of refined indulgence, while equipping the building
with the luxury amenities demanded by today's discerning traveller. The new
hotel will comprise 266 rooms across two buildings.

Like its cherished predecessor, the Shanghai Club, The Waldorf Astoria will
capture the spirit of 1930s Shanghai and become a bastion of civility and
style for the refined modern traveller.

HBA: Global Leaders in Historic Restorations

An international leader in historical preservation and adaptation in the
hospitality design industry, HBA has worked on several of the world's
oldest and most prized hotels to ensure the quality and relevance of the
restoration works.

In 2003, HBA restored the Hotel Grande Bretagne Athens in Greece, which was
first opened in 1874. An ambitious preservation and refurbishment programme
saw the addition of state-of-the-art facilities, swimming pools,
restaurants, a spa, Grand Ballroom, plus meetings and conference rooms. The
interior design blended French and Italian neoclassical furniture, taking
cues from photographs of the hotel taken in the late 19th century. The
detailing throughout was inspired by the original 1843 palace, which
featured fluted columns, ionic capitals and mosaic floors.

The St. Regis Grand Rome originally opened in 1894 as Rome's first deluxe
hotel. After an extensive restoration and renovation by HBA in 1999, the
hotel reclaimed its status as the finest hotel in Rome -- and one of the
best in the world. This honor was re-emphasized when the restored hotel was
named on the Condé Nast Traveler's prestigious 2005 Gold List.

Westin Europa & Regina located in Venice, Italy consists of five historic
buildings dating from the 17th to 19th centuries. HBA was appointed in 1997
by Starwood Hotels & Resorts to restore the historical buildings,
maintaining the hotel's traditional beauty while offering contemporary
conveniences. It was also named on the Condé Nast Traveler's 2005 Gold
List.

One of the world's most famous hotels, the Beverly Hills Hotel was built in
1912. This epitome of luxury was recreated by HBA in 1995, providing
opulence and tranquility in a truly residential setting. Likewise, Hilton
Chicago, one of the city's grandest dames, was restored to its full glory
in 1985.

About HBA/Hirsch Bedner Associates

As global leaders in hospitality interior design, HBA/Hirsch Bedner
Associates is credited with revolutionizing the hotel design industry.
After 45 years in business, the company consistently sets new creative
trends, pushes boundaries and injects fresh visual ideas into some of the
world's best-known addresses.

HBA has successfully completed over 1000 projects in 80 countries. It has
gained an unrivalled knowledge of the cultural, financial, geographical and
programmatic requirements involved in all manner of design projects -- from
world-class hotels and resorts, to boutique hotels, spas, casinos, cruise
ships and private residences.

HBA employs over 425 design professionals in 13 offices worldwide: Los
Angeles, Atlanta, San Francisco, London, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo,
Singapore, Brisbane, Melbourne, New Delhi, Dubai, and Manila. Its
achievements are attributed to HBA's fundamental values of research and
sensitivity to the needs of its markets.

For more information, please visit the HBA/Hirsch Bedner Associates website
at www.hbadesign.com.